Journal of Civil Engineering Research 2016, 6(1): 1-6
DOI: 10.5923/j.jce.20160601.01
Assessment of Concrete Produced with Foundry Waste as
Partial Replacement for River Sand
T. C. Nwofor
1,*
, C. Ukpaka
2
1
Department of civil Engineering, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
2
Jospaka Ventures Nigeria Limited, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Abstract The assessment in this research is targeted at determining the percentage of foundry waste suitable to be used as
a partial replacement for fine sand aggregate. Experimental result reveals that 15% of foundry sand is appropriate as partial
replacement of fine sand aggregate for preparation of grade 20 concrete by application of compressive strength equation as
targeted strength of concrete were established at 28 days. The mathematical tools known as least square model was also
applied to simulate the best equation of the curve for the purpose of prediction of compressive strength for the design of WFS
concrete. The equation of best fit is given as Ϭ = 13.77wfs + 13.65 for 7 days and 28 days and Ϭ = 1.303wfs + 17.49 for 21
days. The developed equation illustrates the usefulness of least square model in monitoring the compressive strength of
concrete upon the variation of percentage replacement with waste foundry sand.
Keywords Concrete, Waste Foundry Sand, Fine Sand and Compressive Strength
1. Introduction
The evaluation of engineering aggregate materials as good
alternative replacement or partial replacement of aggregate
in concrete production that will be affordable and durable is
of global interest. Aggregates are the significant constituents
in concrete. They give weight to the concrete and reduce
shrinkage [1-3].
Assessment of foundry sand as a replacement for fine
aggregate on fresh and hardened characteristics of concrete
revealed that compressive strength of concrete decreases
with increase in foundry sand [4-5]. Research conducted on
fresh and hardened properties of grade 20 concrete, by
substituting waste ferrous and non-ferrous foundry sand
revealed that the compressive strength increased normally at
7days, however the strength gradually decrease as waste
foundry sand content increased at 21 and 28 days, which is
similar for other kind of replacements [6-14]. In terms of
flexural strength, concrete strength increased with the
increased in founding sand content at 28 days.
This research is centered at investigating the foundry sand
as an alternative for partial replacement of fine sand
aggregate in the production of concrete, thereby making the
waste founding sand in Nigeria a useful waste by applying
the empirical formula for compressive strength for adequate
mix design.
* Corresponding author:
temple.nwofor@uniport.edu.ng (T. C. Nwofor)
Published online at http://journal.sapub.org/jce
Copyright © 2016 Scientific & Academic Publishing. All Rights Reserved
2. Materials and Method
2.1. Cement
R Dangote 3x Portland cement were used for batching and
mixing of all specimens
2.2. Standard Grading Curve
The grading patterns of aggregate can be shown on tables
or charts. Expressing grading limits by means of charts gives
a good pictorial view. The correlation of grading pattern of a
number of samples can be made at one glance. This is the
reason, often grading of aggregates is shown by means of
grading curves. Practical knowledge has revealed that in
practice it is difficult to get the aggregate to conform to any
one particular standard curve exactly where concrete of high
strength and good durability is required, time aggregate
zones may be used, but the concrete mix should be properly
designed. If the fine aggregate grading becomes
progressively finer, that is from aggregate to coarse
aggregate should be progressively reduced. The most
suitable fine to coarse rating of aggregate to be applied for
any particular mix will depend on the grading particle shape
and surface texture of both fine and coarse aggregates.
2.3. Water
The quantity and quality of water used during the batching
of the concrete is of good one and based on water / cement
adopted as water is a significant ingredient of concrete as it
actively participates in the chemical reaction with cement.